Pakistani Man on Trial Claims He Was Forced Into Alleged Assassination Plan Targeting Trump and Biden

A Pakistani businessman is on trial in a federal court in Brooklyn, New York, over allegations that he helped plan a 2024 assassination plot targeting senior American political figures. The accused, Asif Merchant, has told jurors that a handler linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directed him to organise the killings of Donald Trump, Joe Biden and former US ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley.

US prosecutors allege the case reflects an overseas effort to target prominent American leaders. Merchant's defence team argues he acted under coercion and did not intend for any attack to be carried out.

What the Prosecution Alleges

According to court filings and testimony, Merchant was tasked in 2024 with coordinating logistics for an assassination operation inside the United States. Prosecutors say his responsibilities included:

• Monitoring public appearances and rallies
• Identifying possible attack locations
• Contacting individuals to carry out the shootings

Authorities state that Merchant attempted to hire two men he believed had ties to organised crime. Those individuals were actually undercover FBI agents. Merchant was arrested on July 12, 2024.

Prosecutors argue that Merchant never contacted US authorities before his arrest, contradicting claims that he intended to report the plot.

Merchant's Testimony

Taking the stand in Brooklyn federal court, Merchant testified through an Urdu interpreter that he was pressured by an IRGC contact and feared for the safety of his family in Iran.

He told jurors that threats against his relatives compelled him to follow instructions. Merchant also claimed he had previously been forced into financial crimes, including money laundering, before being assigned what he described as a murder mission.

During cross-examination, Merchant acknowledged travelling to the United States to arrange contact with individuals he believed could carry out the killings. However, he maintained that he expected to be arrested and said he never planned to personally commit violence.

The Role of the IRGC

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is a powerful branch of Iran's armed forces and is designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organisation. US officials have long accused the IRGC of operating international networks to advance Tehran's strategic interests.

The trial unfolds at a time of strained relations between Washington and Tehran, adding broader geopolitical sensitivity to the proceedings.

Background of the Accused

Merchant told the court he spent approximately 20 years working in Pakistan's banking sector before moving into private businesses, including trade and exports. He said he travelled frequently between Pakistan and the United States for business purposes.

He also disclosed that he has family members in both Pakistan and Iran, and testified that relatives in Iran were most vulnerable to threats.

Key Question Before the Jury

The central issue in the case is whether Merchant knowingly and willingly participated in a planned assassination attempt, as prosecutors contend, or whether he acted under coercion and feared harm to his family, as the defence claims.